According to The Sun, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has raised concerns over the treatment of prisoners in Nigeria, asserting that the state prioritizes the welfare of dogs over the over 80,000 inmates held in correctional facilities. Oshiomhole, who is also a former Governor of Edo State, made these remarks during a public lecture themed ‘Nigeria Yesterday, Today and a Prosperous Future’ held in support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In his speech, Oshiomhole highlighted the intended purpose of prisons, emphasizing that they are meant to correct wrongdoers rather than harm them. He expressed regret over the current state of the Nigerian correctional system, where he believes influential individuals manipulate the system, often with the assistance of corrupt security personnel. This situation, according to Oshiomhole, undermines the integrity of the justice system and exacerbates the plight of prisoners.
He pointed out a significant issue within the prison population, noting that approximately 50% of the 80,000 inmates are awaiting trial. This statistic underscores a major flaw in the judicial process, leading to prolonged periods of detention without conviction. Oshiomhole’s commentary sheds light on the inefficiencies and injustices faced by many prisoners, who suffer due to systemic delays and corruption.
He said: “We even take care of dogs better than Nigerian prisoners. The bad news is that out of the 80,000 prisoners, 50% are awaiting trials.